Fort Lauderdale Memorial Day Boat Explosion Kills 1, Injures 11

On Memorial Day in Fort Lauderdale, a 39-foot Sea Ray boat exploded in the Intracoastal Waterway near a sandbar, resulting in one death and 10 others hospitalized with severe burns, including two children. The explosion was caused by fuel vapors igniting, though the exact trigger remains under investigation. New 911 call recordings reveal the chaos and panic immediately following the blast, with witnesses describing people jumping into the water, some passing out, and nearby boaters assisting with lifejackets and rescue efforts. Joshua Fifi, a 29-year-old father of four, succumbed to his injuries after the incident. Authorities, including the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, are investigating the circumstances surrounding the fireball that sent passengers flying into the water. The harrowing scenes were captured both through witness accounts and surveillance footage, highlighting the suddenness and severity of the disaster.